| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 2 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
Unfortunately, it’s not feasible to provide the nutritional information for the Yarrow Skin Healing Salve Recipe. This is a topical salve and not something that should be ingested. The nutrients from the ingredients wouldn’t translate to nutritional values in the way food does when it’s eaten. Also, many of the ingredients involved like yarrow flowers, calendula flowers, comfrey leaf, plantain leaf, lavender essential oil, and tea tree oil don’t usually come with nutritional information as they’re typically not used as sustenance.
However, each of the oils used in the salve carry their individual benefits. Yarrow, calendula, comfrey, and plantain are commonly used for their healing properties. On the other hand, coconut oil and vitamin E oil are known for their skin moisturizing properties and antioxidants, while lavender and tea tree oils are praised for their soothing and antibacterial properties, respectively. Beeswax is mainly used to harden the oil and allow for a salve-like consistency.
As a native Louisianian, my heritage has been steeped in Creole richness and French elegance that often finds its way into my culinary creations. One such example crosses culinary capacities into therapeutic realms, marrying food and skincare in a harmonious blend. Enter: the Yarrow Skin Healing Salve Recipe.
Vegetable-Based Wunderkind
This unique formula embodies our philosophy of using food as medicine, with each ingredient lending its own individual benefits. Sourcing ingredients from both the organic food and natural health aisle, it results in a truly healthful product, as beneficial for the skin as it is for the body when incorporated into a balanced diet. Known for their individual healing properties, yarrow flowers, calendula flowers and plantain leaf work together synergistically to deliver powerful skin improvements. According to Healthline, these vegetable-based ingredients can help soothe inflammation, hydrate, tighten the skin and even improve skin elasticity.
Where Nature Meets Nourishment
My Yarrow Skin Healing Salve Recipe shares similarities with traditional homemade salves such as Lovely Greens’ herbal salves. Both encapsulate the notion of transforming nature’s bounty into beneficial products for personal use. However, my unique combination allows a real exploration of flavors in a non-conventional way; the comfortingly floral note of the yarrow flowers coupled with the faintly sweet, nutty aroma of coconut oil creates an extravagant olfactory experience.
Not only does this make a delightful standalone homemade skincare product, it also complements a variety of meals. Its fresh, earthy scent pairs particularly well with any vegan dishes. My personal favourite to serve alongside this recipe? A hearty bowl of beetroot and coconut soup that uses the same coconut oil as our salve for that harmonious hint of flavor in both dish and self-care regimen.
Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned DIY skincare expert or simply curious about healthier skincare options, my Yarrow Skin Healing Salve Recipe could be an interesting addition to your cooking and self-care experiments. It’s quick, it’s simple and it’s delicious in its own unique way. Bon Appétit and beautiful skin to you!
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup of fresh yarrow flowers
- 1 cup of coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of beeswax pellets
- 1 cup of fresh calendula flowers
- 1/4 cup of dried comfrey leaf
- 1/4 cup of dried plantain leaf
- 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil
- 6 drops of lavender essential oil
- 6 drops of tea tree oil
Method
Step One
Harvest your fresh yarrow and calendula flowers. Rinse them carefully to remove dirt and bugs, then set them aside to air dry.
Step Two
Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler over medium heat. Once the oil is melted, add the fresh yarrow flowers, fresh calendula flowers, dried comfrey leaf, and dried plantain leaf to the coconut oil.
Step Three
Stir the ingredients well, ensuring all the plant matter is well coated with oil. Then, reduce the heat to lowest setting and let it simmer for about 2-3 hours. This will allow the beneficial properties of the herbs to infuse into the oil.
Step Four
After 2-3 hours, remove from heat and strain the oil through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean glass jar, being sure to squeeze out as much oil as possible.
Step Five
Return the strained oil to the double boiler, and add the beeswax pellets. Stir until the beeswax is fully melted into the oil.
Step Six
Remove from heat and add the vitamin E oil, lavender essential oil, and tea tree oil, and stir well.
Step Seven
Quickly pour the liquid salve into small jars or tins before it starts to solidify. Let them cool completely and then seal with a lid.
Step Eight
Your Yarrow Skin Healing Salve is ready! Store in a cool, dark place for up to one year. Apply to dry or irritated skin as needed.
